Paekakariki Hill Road - 12 drivers an hour stray out of lane

**riffer** · 24th January 2006, 09:10

Motorists speeding over Paekakariki Hill Road are “playing Russian roulette” with other people’s lives, police say.
Police operations catch an average of 12 drivers an hour failing to keep left.
Last year 40 accidents were reported to police on the road, making it one of the worst blackspots in the Kapiti-Mana area. Although no one was killed, crash victims were hospitalised after at least six of the smashes, Sergeant Mike George said.
A number of people had been injured because they had swerved to avoid oncoming vehicles in their lane, ending up in a bank.
The speed limit had recently been reduced to a maximum of 80kmh from Pauatahanui to Battle Hill, and 70kmh from Battle Hill to the summit. A restriction of 70kmh was shortly due to be implemented on the Kapiti side of the hill.
However, drivers were continuing to take risks, with many failing to keep to their lane because they were travelling too fast for the conditions, Mr George said. At 5.45pm on 12 January a motorcyclist heading towards Kapiti was fined $150 for overtaking a car on a blind bend. By law motorists had to have 100 metres of visibility before passing another vehicle.
Police had received numerous complaints from hill road residents about dangerous driving. One farmer last year had to repair his fence four times because of motorists slamming into it.
The entire road was a blackspot, and, with an average of 400 cars an hour travelling on it during peak periods, the likelihood of a fatal crash was huge, Mr George said.
“If you’re driving a tonne-and-a-half of lethal machinery you have to remember to drive it correctly. The local residents don’t crash on it – it’s the people who travel through.”
Like Centennial Highway, there was no margin for error if someone made a mistake, he said. “There’s no such thing as an accident. A crash is an error somewhere.”
The road was popular with boy racers because it was narrow, winding and “they can get into the corners”, Sergeant Ron Walker said.
In November police clocked a driver doing 174 kmh along the hill while racing another car.
Two men had had their drivers’ licences suspended and were facing charges of operating a vehicle in an unauthorised street race, under the boy racer laws.
Throughout last year, police filmed motorists on blind corners along Paekakariki Hill Road. On average they netted 25 drivers for failing to keep left every time they carried out a two-hour operation.

SOURCE: FAIRFAX

**Fishy** · 24th January 2006, 09:12

Scary stuff!.

**Motu** · 24th January 2006, 09:20

Originally Posted by riffer

The local residents don’t crash on it – it’s the people who travel through.”

. “There’s no such thing as an accident. A crash is an error somewhere.”

Those two statements say it all for me - all the bleating and moaning about road conditions and crashes by members on this site,but the locals don't crash....because they know the road - the crashes are errors of judgement,opperator error.

**Lou Girardin** · 24th January 2006, 10:21

At long last they're doing something about pricks that don't keep left.
If the cops kept that up I might even stop having a go at them.

**Slingshot** · 24th January 2006, 10:24

Originally Posted by riffer

At 5.45pm on 12 January a motorcyclist heading towards Kapiti was fined $150 for overtaking a car on a blind bend. By law motorists had to have 100 metres of visibility before passing another vehicle.

It's interesting that the media/police have again singled out a motorcyclist.

**bladez** · 24th January 2006, 10:45

I have found the road a nice ride and with good views but how can ya keep left when ya come across little old ladys driving at 30kph. i have all so come across boy racers in there turbo cars thinking the road is there own little racetrack and dont care whats in front of them.im not one to speed but a nice comfy speed would be nice without having to dodge boy racers and sunday drivers that do 30kph

**mini_me** · 24th January 2006, 16:57

Originally Posted by Slingshot

It's interesting that the media/police have again singled out a motorcyclist.

i'd hardly say singled out...
the also mentioned a couple of speeding car who where racing and lost their lisences
m/m

**Slingshot** · 24th January 2006, 18:06

Originally Posted by mini_me

i'd hardly say singled out...
the also mentioned a couple of speeding car who where racing and lost their lisences
m/m

Motorcyclists and boy racers.

They didn't mention the family out for a sunday drive or the old granny coming back from bowls...

**Hitcher** · 24th January 2006, 18:24

And about time too. Just about every trip I have ever done over The Goat Track of Death has had a starring moment from some doe-eyed kindy mum with at least half of her Prado, resplendent with Baby on Board wobbler, on my side of the road.

Who marries them? That's what I want to know. And those whiney, mean-eyed shrews you see in furniture stores with their prams and mute, whipped husbands. I've heard of "kinky", but there are baby-fucking slappers in Taranaki who would be more fun to spend one's life with. Hands up, anybody?

**Skyryder** · 24th January 2006, 19:28

Originally Posted by Slingshot

It's interesting that the media/police have again singled out a motorcyclist.

Yep they've got the boy racers eating shit. Now it's our turn.

Skyryder

**MidnightMike** · 24th January 2006, 19:30

Pakerakedakie what?

**parsley** · 24th January 2006, 19:33

I think anyone who doesn't keep to the left should be shot. You know, like Americans and French people.

**Sparky Bills** · 24th January 2006, 19:36

Originally Posted by Motu

Those two statements say it all for me - all the bleating and moaning about road conditions and crashes by members on this site,but the locals don't crash....because they know the road - the crashes are errors of judgement,opperator error.

I know that road like the back of my hand. Ive been commuting over it everyday for the past 4years running.
So i also know how easily it can all turn pear shaped.
Its a narrow twisting road. There will always be crashes on it. But if people stay left, there will be a shite load less!
ITS TOO SIMPLE REALLY ISNT IT!?

**ducatilover** · 24th January 2006, 20:42

Originally Posted by parsley

I think anyone who doesn't keep to the left should be shot. You know, like Americans and French people.

good. now theres two of us and i have two guns, what are we waiting for?

**Roki_nz** · 24th January 2006, 20:47

That’s a good road for giving my favourite cage a good blasting but unlike the idiots this article refers too I always stick in my lane, its safer way to play and also more of a challenge.